Fresh Air, Magnolias, Junebugs, and enjoying the Outdoors

Friday, May 01, 2015

Spring has sprung all over the south! Late last month I made a trip to Natchez, MS, and St. Francisville, LA, to teach a couple of painting classes. What was just as much fun as the destination was the journey. Traveling south in March, one gets the pleasure of seeing nature bloom. Just south of the Tennessee border were the Dogwoods and Redbuds and going further south were the Camillias and Azaleas.

In late April I made a trip to Atlanta and got to experience the entire length of spring all over again. And once I got home, my azaleas were blooming, and Iris, and roses, and peonies and rhododendron are in full bud. They'll burst open any day now.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Who doesn't love a garden in full bloom? Let's admit, the scrumptious color is no less than eye candy. and when the Azaleas are in full bloom, it's like French Chocolate Macarons with Chocolate Ganache. Muah!

More than 100,000 azalea types have been registered, so there is sure to be a variety available to suit your preference and growing region. What grabs me is the amazing colors of the Azaleas... Purple, Pink, Red, and Orange.

Monday, March 10, 2014

I found my center, and it's in the form of a clothes line. When you possess a vintage soul like I do, many things complete you.... a whimsical pie vent, an old biscuit cutter, a newly discovered cluster of wild blackberry bushes, a white and red polkadot Fire King bowl, a family recipe written in your grandmother's handwriting, and yes, a hand-made wooden clothes line.

Be still my beating heart.

I purchased the supplies and brought them home with the brawn of my brother and his truck. And my sweet neighbor put it together. He won't accept cash for helping me with projects or chores so I have to figure out something he wants or needs to recipricate and say thank you... birdhouse books, a little green garden wagon, a lighted magnifying glass. Have I ever mentioned how blessed I am with wonderful neighbors?

This morning the sun came out and it's warm, the first time since the line was built and set and the lines strung. I had to search the house for things to wash to go on the line.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Last week we were bracing for bitter cold temps and this week it looks like spring is upon us. To prove it, my friend Kathie Fustion went outside and snapped these gorgeous photos of Cedar Waxwings feasting on berries in her yard.

"The weather was perfect," says Kathie, "and the sun was at an ideal angle to snap these photos."

Kathie is a creative and talented photographer, and even she was delighted that the beauty of the morning was captured without any special lenses or effects.

I may have to save a photo or two for reference in the studio. Or better yet, spend a morning in her yard with the easel.

A flock of about 300 cedar waxwings, including the one photographed above on Tuesday, has appeared every morning for the last few days outside a West 6th Street home in Columbia to feed on berries. The birds make a high-pitched, whistling sound. Waxwings spend most of the year in flock, often eating a crop of berries and then moving on. These social birds have the amusing habit of passing berries from one to the next down a long row sitting on a branch, until one bird eats the food. (Photo courtesy of Kathie Hicks Fuston) - See more at: http://columbiadailyherald.com/news/local-news/flocking-feast#sthash.WCt3hAdW.dpuf

A flock of about 300 cedar waxwings, including the one photographed above on Tuesday, has appeared every morning for the last few days outside a West 6th Street home in Columbia to feed on berries. The birds make a high-pitched, whistling sound. Waxwings spend most of the year in flock, often eating a crop of berries and then moving on. These social birds have the amusing habit of passing berries from one to the next down a long row sitting on a branch, until one bird eats the food. (Photo courtesy of Kathie Hicks Fuston) - See more at: http://columbiadailyherald.com/news/local-news/flocking-feast#sthash.WCt3hAdW.dpuf

A flock of about 300 cedar waxwings, including the one photographed above on Tuesday, has appeared every morning for the last few days outside a West 6th Street home in Columbia to feed on berries. The birds make a high-pitched, whistling sound. Waxwings spend most of the year in flock, often eating a crop of berries and then moving on. These social birds have the amusing habit of passing berries from one to the next down a long row sitting on a branch, until one bird eats the food. (Photo courtesy of Kathie Hicks Fuston) - See more at: http://columbiadailyherald.com/news/local-news/flocking-feast#sthash.WCt3hAdW.dpuf

A flock of about 300 cedar waxwings, including the one photographed above on Tuesday, has appeared every morning for the last few days outside a West 6th Street home in Columbia to feed on berries. The birds make a high-pitched, whistling sound. Waxwings spend most of the year in flock, often eating a crop of berries and then moving on. These social birds have the amusing habit of passing berries from one to the next down a long row sitting on a branch, until one bird eats the food. (Photo courtesy of Kathie Hicks Fuston) - See more at: http://columbiadailyherald.com/news/local-news/flocking-feast#sthash.WCt3hAdW.dpuf

Blessings to all

God has lovingly and generously showered his sweet blessings all around middle Tennessee. I enjoy so much selecting one each day to share with you in these pictures, recipes, paintings, inspirations and sometimes, completely random thoughts. Thank you for the visit. Come on back again real soon!

"To see the miraculous within the ordinary is the mark of highest wisdom." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him." ~Abraham Lincoln

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My Precious Furbabies

Lily Belle

Nannie Nutmeg Max

Love this silly boy! Found him as a stray on New Year's Day 2016 and have loved and cared for him ever since. And even though I cared for him as a foster, I couldn't let him go. Foster Failure. He's mine.

Tammy Tabby

Little Man Max

This adorable little snuggle pup is a 3lb, 7 year old, altered male Yorkie. He was adopted by a precious, retired couple in Alabama who also adopted a Yorkie from Tennessee River Rescue in Selmer, TN. Along with this fur-sibling, Little Man Max will have a Schnauzer and Schnoodle to play with, along with afternoon golf cart rides around Lake Cullman. I want your life Max!!
Mr. Whiskers

This sweet boy looks like a little, red fox. And he was adopted!!
Honey Noggin'

Honey Noggin' (nee Gypsy) is still available. She is a senior pup with one bottom tooth that protrudes from her underbite so she reminds me of Elvis. Thank ya, Thank ya vury much!
Ebbie

Ebbie is an owner surrendered, 9 year old, female Basset Hound who is pure love in a dog suit and terribly confused. The only life she has ever known was uprooted and she came to live with me. Now a precious, young family has adopted her and they are in love. And their whole neighborhood is in love. That's what happens when there is a Basset about.
Lola and Lonnie

Lonnie and Lola are brother and sister, about 18 months old and simply adorable. They were adopted together. Thank you!!

Charlotte

Yay! My little foster Charlotte found her forever home at the PetSmart Adoption Event with Russell Rescue. She has two young boys to play with and they are already in love.

Brownie Puryear

Brownie found her furever home today! Yay!! Your new Momma has lots of puppy snuggles in her future.

Sadie Hawkins (nee Bubbles)

This precious baby was my foster and is now my god-puppy. She was adopted by my parents. She was special from the moment my dad laid eyes on her. We are thrilled to welcome her into our family as a member, and not a foster.

Glory B

Looking like the lovechild of Yoda and one of the Grimlins is Glory B (formerly Blackie). She is full of spunk and sass.... all three and a half pounds of her! Glory B was adopted by a sweet, retired couple looking for lap puppy on which to heap all their snuggles and kisses.

Maddie

Maddie was my foster for less than a week. This sweet girl was adopted by my friends Don and Carol who have given her a new fur-sibling as well as a loving home. Don't you just love happy endings?

Junebug

Junebug is a precious, 35lb, young, female, terrier-mix foster adopted in September. Playful, intelligent and loveable. She's now enjoying a family of her own.

Millie Matisse

Millie Matisse, my little foster through Russell Rescue, was adopted by an adorable young lady July 2015. She enjoys a loving home that she shares with her new fur-sibling.
Vienna
Vienna, my little foster through Russell Rescue, was adopted by a sweet family in Murfreesboro, June 2015. She enjoyed love and kisses through her finals days and ventured across the Rainbow Bridge end of August 2015.
Gen. Jubal Lee

A little beggar that came up starved and injured. He's hanging out with me until I can determine if he has a home. If not, he has a minor operation in his future and then will be ready for a loving forever home. Right now he is getting loving care and attention and plenty of kibble.
Ruby

Ruby, a Pet Pals of Maury County foster, now lives with her furever family in Culleoka, TN
Ida Claire Ida Claire, a Snooty Giggles foster, was my furbaby from 10-31-11 to 7-26-12. She was taken by transport to live with her Fur-ever Family in Massachusetts, 7/26/12. Miss you silly girl!